(Dustin is Graystone’s Student Pastor.)
WOW…what an honor to be a guest blogger on the weblog of J.Howes! It is also an honor to wrap up the week before he returns to the blog world. My world is gettin crazy as my wife (Erin) and I continue to raise our two wonderful kids…Rylan and Emalyn. We are currently trying hard to find a house in the Grayson area, adding to the craziness. My life was impacted and influenced by one guy who kept an “open house”…just a way to “do life together.” We are praying for God to provide the right place for that to happen in our lives.
God is definitely moving and changing lives at GSM (graystone student ministry). We had our annual Disciple Now weekend in February, and it was awesome. We had tons of help from the entire church for this one, and it was incredible. We just finished a series on LOVE, that of course was initiated by Valentine’s Day. You can be praying for our students…but let’s just say…some have already committed to not dating and pursuing their relationship with Christ instead. WHAT!! That’s awesome! God is continuing to provide sharp leaders and a vision for growth and development for our students. Stay tuned…cause some big things are on the horizon.
Let me end with a couple of thoughts that I believe are transferable to any situation.
1. Start with the end in mind.
I want our students at GSM to think about their futures and to make decisions now that move them in the direction that has called them to. If you want to be a virgin when you get married, then it doesn’t make sense to put yourself in compromising situations. Especially in your teenage years. If you want to be debt free in the next few years…then it doesn’t make sense to buy a new hot rod and a crazy big house. If you don’t know where you are going, it’s pretty easy to get nowhere!
2. Who are you becoming?
My students were challenged with this thought: “If you want to marry a Godly spouse, then you need to be Godly yourself. If you want someone of great character, then you need to have great character as well. You need to become who you want to marry.” But I think the same is true for us who are pursuing Christ. Who are we becoming? What is coming out of our actions and speech. The more we hang out with Jesus…the more we BECOME like Him! John 10:10- you want to know the way to this “abundant life”?? Start becoming like Christ.
Pray for the Mattox Family. Pray for GSM.
God Bless,
Dustin
Thanks for your leadership and friendship. My boys look forward to GSM each Sunday and Wednesday and they are growing closer to the Lord.
I know God will find the right place for your family as for the house.
Man,
Its a shame that Kyles Non-pie eating, flip flop wearing, blog got all the attention…lol, it was pretty funny…
But I have to say… Judging from this dialouge, the teens of Graystone have great leadership and must be very influential in their schools….
This is very encouraging… Speaking as a father with 5 kids (2 of which are only a couple years way from being teens)
Kindest Regards,